ADNOC ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz as company reports casualties and urges maritime protection
ADNOC ships attacked in the Strait of Hormuz: company reports 15 vessels struck, one crew killed and 20 injured as it urges protection of maritime navigation.
ADNOC ships attacked in the Strait of Hormuz have prompted a firm response from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, which said its operations remain active despite escalating threats. The company confirmed that 15 of its vessels have been struck by missiles and unmanned aerial systems while transiting the waterway, and it reaffirmed its commitment to meet customer requirements. ADNOC reported one crew member killed and 20 others wounded, underscoring the human toll of the incidents.
ADNOC reports 15 vessels attacked
ADNOC said the attacks began after the recent escalation of regional hostilities and have continued intermittently since the conflict opened. The company specified that three of its ships were targeted during the current week, all while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. ADNOC described the strikes as deliberate assaults on its personnel and assets, and said investigations are ongoing.
The incidents involved both missile strikes and drone-fired munitions, according to ADNOC’s statement, creating serious safety and operational challenges for crews at sea. Company officials have emphasized that the pattern of attacks represents a direct threat to commercial navigation as well as to energy logistics linking the Gulf to global markets. ADNOC has not released the names of the vessels involved but confirmed the scale of the damage and casualties.
Casualties, injuries and immediate response
ADNOC confirmed a fatality among its crew and said 20 additional personnel sustained varying degrees of injury in the recent attacks. The company said it is providing medical support and coordination for affected staff and is liaising with relevant authorities to ensure treatment and evacuation where required. ADNOC also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and reiterated its duty of care to employees and contractors.
Emergency procedures were activated aboard the struck vessels and at ADNOC shore facilities, the company reported, and security measures have been tightened for crew rotations and cargo operations. Maritime insurers and classification societies have been notified in line with standard protocols, and ADNOC said it is compiling a full operational impact assessment to determine any longer-term implications for shipments.
Protective measures and coordination with authorities
To safeguard people and assets, ADNOC said it has implemented additional protective measures and is coordinating with national and regional maritime authorities. The company highlighted enhanced route planning, risk assessments before transits, and increased on-board defensive protocols where permitted by law. ADNOC added that it is working closely with port authorities and naval agencies to monitor threats and adjust movements as necessary.
ADNOC also stressed that protecting workers and critical infrastructure remains its highest priority, and that it will continue to adapt procedures to evolving security conditions. The company indicated it is sharing information with partners across the shipping and energy sectors to support a wider response aimed at reducing exposure during vulnerable transits through the Strait of Hormuz.
Impact on shipping, supply chains and customers
While ADNOC said it is striving to meet contractual obligations, the company acknowledged that the attacks create added risk for vessels and could complicate scheduling and logistics in the near term. Energy sector observers say disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could affect transit times and insurance premiums, with potential ripple effects on fuel markets and supply chains. ADNOC indicated contingency plans are in place to minimise customer impacts, including adjusted routing and prioritisation of critical cargoes.
Traders and shipping firms are watching developments closely, and some operators may seek alternative corridors or enhanced protection for high-risk voyages. ADNOC’s assurances of continuity aim to stabilise supply expectations, but the company warned that sustained hostilities or further assaults on commercial vessels would increase operational strain across the maritime energy logistics chain.
Call for respect of freedom of navigation
ADNOC appealed for respect for freedom of navigation and safe passage for commercial shipping, urging all parties to avoid actions that endanger civilian crews and international trade. The company underscored that maritime routes are critical lifelines for global commerce and that attacks on merchant shipping undermine established international norms. ADNOC called on relevant authorities and international partners to reinforce measures that ensure secure and unhindered movement through key waterways.
The statement reiterated ADNOC’s position that commercial vessels must be allowed to transit without threat or interference and urged coordinated steps to de-escalate risks to seafarers. The company also encouraged transparent investigations into each incident and accountability for those responsible for targeting civilian assets.
ADNOC said it will continue to operate where it can to fulfil customer needs and maintain supplies, while keeping safety and security at the centre of all decisions. The company pledged to provide updates as further information becomes available and to work with partners to restore and preserve safe maritime operations in the region.